Torpedo-guard.



J. E. ,MARPOLE.

TORPEDO GUARD APPLICATION FILED vac-g9. m1.

. I m .m 3 000000 m 2 000000 k0 m. 0%0 0 v o W a n M .m 0 000 000000 ood odd 000000 00 N\\\\\\\\\\ \NN\\NY\\W\\N\ 000 w w 0 0 000000 m 000000N M w m J e a-Jenn nvmvsavmnrorn; or*orrilrnmerzinnarnrrisrr eotmanra,eaivana.

TonPEDo-GuARD.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN Evans MAnroLE, a cltizen of Canada, residing atCumberland,

Province of British Columbia, Canada, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Torpedo-Guards, of which the following is aspecification.

This inventionrelates to new and useful improvements in torpedo guardsfor vessels and the principal object of the invention is to provide abarrier around the hull of the vessel to guard the same from torpedoesor mines.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the barriermay be swung up against the vessels side when not in use. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this characterwhich is simple and durable in construction, reliable and efficient inoperation and one which can be manufactured andplaced upon the market ata minimum cost.

The invention also consists in certain other features of constructionand in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to behereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawingsand specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to theaccompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which Figure 1shows the invention applied to a vessel and in operative position.

Fig. 2 is a like view with the device in inoperative position.

Fig. 3 is a detail view showing the formation of the barrier.

Fig. 4: is a detail view showing the lifting means. r

In these views 1 indicates the vessel to the sides of which a pluralityof arms 2 are pivoted. The pivotal point of said arms is located belowthe water-line as shown in Fig. 1. To the outer ends of the arms ispivoted a plurality of plates 3. These plates are preferably made ofsteel and are provided Specificationof Letters Patent. Patented Apr. 23,191%.

Application filed December 29, 1917.

Serial No. 209,549.

with perforations. Chains at are connected to the upper sides of theplates and said chains extend up over the deck of the vessel where theypass over suitable pulleys 5 and are connected to a suitable formofwinding device so that by winding up the chains the plates with the armswill be swung upwardly into the position shown in Fig. 2. A short chain6 connects the underside of the plates to each arm so as to prevent thelower edge of the plate from swinging outwardly beyond the verticalplane.

It will be seen that when the device is swung up into inoperativeposition that the plate is carried above the water-line so as to notretard the passage of the ship through the water. When the device is inoperative position the plates are carried parallel to the vessels sideso that they will receive the torpedo or mine and thus prevent it fromstriking the vessel, it being understood that the arms are suliicientlylong to render the explosion of the torpedo, if it should strike theplate, harmless to the vessel. I prefer to make the holes in the platesof a sutlicient size to catch and hold a torpedo, and thus prevent thesame from exploding. Of course if the head of the torpedo should strikebetween the holes the same would explode, but owing to the great numberof holes in the plate the chances are that the torpedo will be caughtand held without exploding. W hen so caught the supply of compressed airby which the torpedo is propelled will soon be exhausted, and then thesame will drop to the bottom.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages andnovel features of my invention will be readily apparent.

I desire it to be understood that I may make slight changes in theconstruction and in the combination and arrangement of the severalparts, provided that such changes fallwithin the scope of theappendedclaims.

What I claim is 1. A device of the class described comprising aplurality of arms pivoted to the vessels side, a series of perforatedplates piv oted to said arms intermediate their width, means forpreventing the plates from moving out of a Vertical plane when inoperative position, and means associated with the before mentioned meansfor raising and lowering the plates and arms.

2. A device of the class described comprising a plurality of armspivoted to the Vessels side, a plurality of perforated plates Copies ofthis patent may be obtained for pivoted intermediate their Width to thearms, cables connected with the upper sides of the plates, winding meansfor said cables, and a cable connecting the underside of each arm withthe underside of the plates.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature JOHN EVANS MARPOLE.

five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

